In the sky, layers of dark clouds gathered, and a spring rain fell almost incessantly.
The drizzle, as fine as ox hair, drifted down, shrouding Qingmao Mountain in a thin mist.
The dining hall on the first floor of the inn was still quiet, with only four tables occupied.
Fang Yuan sat by the window. A gust of wind blew in, carrying the scent of poetry and flowers.
"The rain on the royal street is as smooth as cream; the grass is visible from afar but not up close." Fang Yuan gazed out the window, softly reciting the lines, before withdrawing his gaze.
Before him on the table were fine wine and dishes, enticing in color, fragrance, and taste. The green bamboo wine in particular had a rich yet refreshing aroma. The emerald liquid sat quietly in a bamboo cup, and from this angle, it gave off a warm amber sheen.
At the table nearest to him sat an old man and his grandson. They were dressed in Section 38: The Demon Walks in the Light plain clothes and were both mortals.
The old man, while sipping his rice wine, looked at Fang Yuan with envy. He was clearly tempted by the fragrance of the bamboo wine but lacked the money to buy it.
The grandson was snacking on spiced beans, crunching loudly, while pestering his grandfather, shaking the old man's arm: "Grandpa, Grandpa, tell me the story of the Human Ancestor. If you don't, I'll go back and tell Grandma that you went out to drink secretly!"
"Ah, I can't even enjoy a drink in peace." The old man sighed, but a loving look appeared on his face. With his thin, bony hand, he patted his grandson's head. "Alright, I'll tell you then. It is said that the Human Ancestor entrusted his heart to the Hope Gu and escaped from the siege of troubles..."
The story of the Human Ancestor is the most widespread and ancient legend in this world.
The story the old man told went something like this.
It is said that the Human Ancestor escaped from his troubles because of hope. But he had become old and senile, lacking strength and wisdom. He could no longer hunt, and even his teeth had fallen out, so he couldn't chew many wild fruits and vegetables.
The Human Ancestor felt death approaching.
At that moment, the Hope Gu told him: "Human, you cannot die. If you die, your heart will be gone, and I, Hope, will lose my dwelling place."
The Human Ancestor was helpless: "Who wants to die? But heaven and earth want me to die; I have no choice."
The Hope Gu said: "There is hope in everything. As long as you capture the Longevity Gu, you can extend your life."
The Human Ancestor had long heard of the Longevity Gu's existence, but he shrugged helplessly: "When the Longevity Gu is still, no one can detect it. When it flies, it's faster than light. How could I possibly catch it? It's too difficult!"
The Hope Gu then revealed a secret to the Human Ancestor: "Human, never give up hope. I tell you, in the northwest of the great land, there is a high mountain. At the top, there is a cave. In the cave live two Gu insects—one round and one square. If you can subdue these two Gu, there is no Gu in the world you cannot capture, even the Longevity Gu!"
The Human Ancestor was at the end of his options; this was his only remaining hope.
He endured all kinds of hardships and found this great mountain. He braved countless dangers and climbed to the summit. At the cave entrance, with only the last bit of strength, he dragged himself inside.
The cave was pitch-dark, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of you. The Human Ancestor walked and walked in the darkness. Sometimes he bumped into things, cutting his head and bleeding. Sometimes he felt the darkness was vast and boundless, like another world, empty except for himself.
He spent a great deal of time but could not find his way out of the vast darkness, let alone subdue the two Gu insects—one round and one square.
Just as he was lost, two voices came from the darkness.
One said: "Human, you come to capture us too? Go back. Even if you had the Strength Gu, it would be impossible."
Another voice said: "Human, retreat. We will not take your life. Even with the Wisdom Gu's help, you might not find us."
The Human Ancestor fell to the ground weakly, panting: "Strength Gu and Wisdom Gu have long left me. I have little life left and am at a dead end. But as long as there is a glimmer of hope in my heart, I will not give up!"
Upon hearing this, the two voices fell silent.
After a long while, one said: "I see. Human, you have entrusted your heart to the Hope Gu. You will never give up."
The other voice continued: "In that case, we'll give you a chance. If you can say our names, we will serve you."
The Human Ancestor was taken aback. To pull two exact names from the sea of words was like searching for a needle in the ocean.
Moreover, he didn't even know how many characters the names of these two Gu contained.
He hurriedly asked the Hope Gu, but the Hope Gu didn't know either.
With no other way out, the Human Ancestor had to grit his teeth and start guessing names. He said many names, spending a very long time, but there was no response from the darkness; obviously, he was wrong.
Gradually, the Human Ancestor's breath grew weaker. In this cave, he moved from old age to twilight. Like the setting sun, it slowly descended, half already below the horizon, becoming evening glow.
The food he had brought grew less and less, his mind turned slower, and his strength to speak waned.
The voice from the darkness urged: "Human, you are about to die. We will let you go. Use your last moments to crawl out of the cave and take a final look at this world. But for your offense, as punishment, leave the Hope Gu here to accompany us."
The Human Ancestor clutched his chest and refused decisively: "Even if I die, I will not give up hope!"
The Hope Gu was moved and responded with all its strength, emitting a pure white radiance. From the Human Ancestor's chest, spots of white light appeared.
But this light was too weak to illuminate the darkness; it could not even cover his whole body, only lighting up the area around his chest.
Yet the Human Ancestor felt a new, invisible strength surge into his body from the Hope Gu.
He continued to speak, uttering names. He was old and muddled; many names he had said before but forgot, so he said them again, wasting much effort.
Life flowed away with time, and the Human Ancestor's remaining lifespan grew short.
Finally, when he had only one day left to live, he said the word "Ju."
A sigh came from the darkness, and a voice said: "Human, I, Ju, admire your perseverance. You have spoken my name. From today, I will obey your commands. But only together with my brother can I capture all the Gu under heaven for you. Separately, my ability alone is insufficient. So give up. You are dying; you might as well make use of this world and take a last look at it."
The Human Ancestor shook his head firmly. He seized every moment and continued to speak, guessing the name of the other Gu insect.
Time ticked by, second by second. He had only one hour left.
But just then, he inadvertently said the word "Gui."
Instantly, the darkness vanished.